They were looking to educate, talk about prevention and awareness, and support both those living with the disorder and the people caring for them.

Organizers said it was the first FASD walk in Ottawa in about 10 years.

Joyce Hamelin is the mother of two adopted children with FASD. She wants other parents to know there's a supportive community in Ottawa they can reach out to. (Krystalle Ramlakhan/CBC)

'Would not change a thing'

FASD is an umbrella term describing three serious conditions that can happen when women drink alcohol during pregnancy. The result is often lifelong brain damage.

Joyce Hamelin shared her story of having two adopted children who live with FASD — one an adult, the other still living at home.

"OK, this is where I can get tearful. I was devastated and every parent would be devastated to get this diagnosis because we know how challenging it is. But at the same time, I would not change a thing about my child," Hamelin said.

"He is funny … he is social, he loves animals, he's really creative," said Hamelin. "He is just the nicest kid."

Hamelin said it's been difficult, however, getting proper help.

Her younger son wasn't diagnosed with FASD until he was a preteen, she said, and the other came to the conclusion himself when he was 24.

Hamelin said they struggled through the school system — in part because FASD isn't recognized as a disability but rather a behavioural disorder — but they're doing much better now that they know what they're dealing with.

A man holds a sign at a rally on Parliament Hill ahead of the FASD Awareness Walk in Ottawa on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. Just under 100 people took part. (Krystalle Ramlakhan/CBC)

Stigma, lack of funding

"Every day is a fight for school for these children and youth. [It's] so challenging and so difficult. So there were mornings that literally it would take me four hours and my husband … to get our son ready for school," said Hamelin.

Hamelin said it can be difficult to diagnosis FASD because it includes a wide range of symptoms.